totally

totally — adverb

1. used to emphasise that something applies to every part of a thing, or that an ac

1.adverbB1
Definition

used to emphasise that something applies to every part of a thing, or that an action is carried out in every possible way.

Example

The hotel was totally destroyed by the earthquake last night.

collocation: totally destroyed

Aylin totally forgot about the lunch appointment with her doctor.

collocation: totally forgot

Synonyms
  • completely

    The most neutral and widely used alternative; interchangeable with totally in almost all contexts.

  • entirely

    Slightly more formal; emphasises the whole rather than every part individually.

  • utterly

    Stronger emotional tone; most common with negative or extreme adjectives (utterly ridiculous, utterly impossible).

Antonyms
  • partially

    Means only some of the way or to a limited degree — the opposite of fully.

  • slightly

    Means to a small degree; much weaker than totally.

Grammar Patterns

totally + adjective

totally + verb

totally + adverb

Usage Note

Modifies adjectives (totally different, totally honest), verbs (totally forgot, totally destroyed), and other adverbs (totally by accident). In informal speech, younger speakers sometimes use it simply for emphasis (I totally love that song), though this use is avoided in formal writing.

Common Mistakes

I totally agree with you partially.
I totally agree with you.
'totally' means completely; adding 'partially' creates a contradiction.
The movie was completely totally boring.
The movie was totally boring.
'completely' and 'totally' mean the same thing; using both adds nothing and sounds unnatural.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

Totally and completely are the most common and can be used in nearly any situation, from casual to formal (I totally/completely agree). Entirely is slightly more formal and emphasises the whole rather than every part (The project is entirely your responsibility). Utterly carries a stronger emotional charge and is most often used with negative or extreme adjectives (utterly ridiculous, utterly devastated). Wholly is the most formal of the four and is common in legal or official writing (wholly owned subsidiary). In everyday conversation, totally is also used informally for simple emphasis (That is totally awesome), a usage that completely, entirely, and wholly do not share.

completely ↗entirely ↗utterly ↗wholly ↗

Common collocations

Phrases

  • totally different
  • totally agree
  • totally honest
  • totally destroyed
  • totally forgot
  • totally lost

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Formed from the adjective total (from Latin totus, meaning 'whole, entire') plus the adverb-forming suffix -ly. The word entered English in the late 1500s and has been used as an intensifier ever since.